exhaust leak

ive been told that an exhaust leak at the headers will cause the engine in question to burn a valve...
sounds like bs to me, but i thought id ask.
:confused:

May or may not be.

Check around at some good speed local shops for more information.
MT

I know that running an engine without anything connected (manifold, headers, etc) to the exhaust side of the heads is bad, cause it will make your valves burn.
Then that makes me think that if you have a big enough leak and close enough to the heads (like manifold bolts coming loose) it could cause trouble. But then again, I see these engines running on short pipes (about 8 inches from the heads) and no trouble, so again it must be an issue when it's really close to the heads. If the leak is down the pipes and far away from the heads you would be OK and all you will suffer from is a lot of noise and some loss of power.

Exaust flow rushing through down stream of the leak can suck in raw air. This air is like adding more fuel to a fire and creates more heat in the exhaust ports. This heat then is transferred through the head casting to the seats. Most cylinder head water jackets today are made bigger with more water capacity in order to take metal/weight out of the engine. This may or may not keep things cool enough.

But, who would want the noise and smell of a leaky exhaust and possible fire hazard from oil leaks and tight engine compartment.